Tubular structure



July 17, 1928.4 1,677,714 H. F. FREASE TUBULAR STRUCTURE Filed Deo. 29, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 ,/umthal F.' Frm@ Patented July 17,A 1928.

UNITED STATES HURXTHAL F. OF TON, OHIO.

TUBULAB STRUCTURE.

Application led December 29, 1924. Serial No. 758,622.

T he invention relates to tubular structures nhaving a comparatively great over all crosssectional area, and a comparatively small cross-sectional area ot structural parts, for

use among other things as vacuum pipes, culverts, sheet metal columns, and the like; and the objects of the invention are to provide tubular structures having great strength against all types of loading` l@ whether due to the Weight of the structures themselves.` the y application of external forces, or the thermal actions of expansion and contractiona These and other objects are attained in structures adapted to economical production b v lthe use of circumterentially continuous tubes and cri-operating and abutting positioning or spacer, and truss or" reinforcing means, slidahle upon each other, when desired, for permitting independent expansion and contraction of the parts.

Several forms of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, formingT parthereof, in Which- Figure 1 is an end elevation of a cylindrical tubular structurehaving inner and outer spaced and trussed tubular Walls;

Fig. 2, a side elevation ot the same, a p0rtion of the outer tubular Wall being in Section to shorv the inner tubular wall and a truss and spacer unit;

Fig. 3, an oblique perspective vie-a1 of a cylindrical tubular structure having a plurality of spaced and trussed tubular walls;

Fig. 4, an oblique perspective view of a tubular structure having 'ditl'erentially formed inner and outer spaced and trussed Walls; and

Fig, 5, an oblique perspective view of tubular structure having inner and outer spaced and trussed polygonal tubular walls.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the .drawings While the structural parts illustrated in the drawings indicate, for the sake of convenience and clearness, continuous sheet. plate. or strip material; it is to be understood that any of the parts of the tubular structures may consist ot a number ot sheets, plates, or strips secured' to each other by rivets, welding or other fastening means; and/or may be perforated, made of expanded metal, corrugated, or otherwise formed; l

or may be otherwise made up of a plurality of parts.

Referring to Figs. '1 and 2s a cylindrical tubular structure 101 includes the outer cylindrical tube 111, and the inner cylindrical tube 121,l spaced and maintained in load Vfaces of the tubes; and the tubes and the truss and spacer units abut each other, as

illustrated, in such a way that deflection of thervall of either tube is inherently resisted by the truss and spacer units, Without necessarily requiring any riveted, Welded or other connection of the apex abutments of the truss units to each other, or of the chord members to the tube Walls.

It is to be understood however that such connections may be used, when desired.

The cylindrical tubular structure 103 illustrated in Fig. 3, is a modified form of the invention, in which the outer cylindrical tube 113, inner cylindrical tube 123 and intermediate cylindrical tubes 183 and 193 are spaced and maintained in load resisting relationship with each other by the abutting truss and spacer units 133 and the longitudinal abutting spacer and reinforcing channel units 203.

The units 133 which space and truss the tubes 113, 183 and 193, include outer chord members 143, inner chord members 153, and connecting web members 163 and apex abutment 173preterably made from a single contlnuous strip in a manner similar to that already described for the unit 131.

The abutting spacing and reinforcing means between the intermediate tube 193 and the inner tube 123 consists of a plurality of longitudinal spacer and reinforcing channel units 203, each including inner chord Walls 213, outer chord walls 223, web walls'233 and abutment legs 24:3.

These units are adapted to be manufactured by sheet metal channel forming equipment, and when associated with inner and outer tubes as illustrated, cooperate and abut with each other to space and maintain the same in a manner similar to that already described for the continuous truss and spacer units 131 and 133.

The tubularv structure 104 illustrated in Fig. 4, discloses the invention as applied to an irregular structure, in which the dilferentially formed outer tube 114 and inner tube 124 are spaced and maintained in load resisting relationship with each other by the abutting truss and spacer units 254, and 264, each including outer chordy members 144, inner chord members '154, vand connecting web members 164 and apex abutment174, preferably made as shown from continuous strips of material, the chord members conforming -to and abutting the inner surfaces of the tubes in a manner similar to that described for the cylindrical structures.

Fig. 5 illustrates a tubular structure 105 including the outer polygonal tube 115, and the inner polygonal tube 125 spaced and maintained' in load .resisting relationship with each other by an abuttingI truss and spacer unit 135, Which includes outer chord members 145, inner chord members 155, andconnecting web members 165 and apex abutments 17, preferably made from a continuous stri of material, the chord members conformmg to and abutting the inner surfaces of the .tubes in a manner similar to that described for.l the foregoing structures.

It is to be understood that a desirable form of the invention consists ofcircumferentially continuous, inner and outer tubular Walls spaced and maintained in load resisting relationship with each other by mutually cooperating and abutting spacer and reinforcing units, which need not necessarily be secured either to each other or to the tubes. However, by circumferentially continuous tube is not necessarily meant only such a tube as a seamless tube, a welded tube or the like, but may be any' combination ot associated parts connected to each other in such a Wayv as to formia structure Whose cross sectional outline is that of a circumferentially continuous tube.

I claim:

. 1. A main structural member adapted for y nally extending and circumferentially conresisting all types of loading, and including lan outer tube,an inner tube spaced Within the outer tube, and a plurality' of longitudlnally extending and circumferentially arranged tubular members abutting each other and the tubes.

` 5. A main structural member adapted for resisting all types of loading, and including an outer tube, an inner tube spaced Within the outer tube, and a plurality of longitudinally extending and circumferentially connected tubular members abutting each other and the tubes.

6. A main structural member adapted for resisting all types of loading, and including an outer tube, an inner tube spaced Within the outer tube, and a. plurality of longitudinally extending and circumferentially arranged tubular members abutting each other angl slidable between the inner and outer tu es.

. 7. A main structural member adapted fon resisting all types of loading, and including an outer tube of one cross section, an inner tube of another cross section spaced Within the outer tube, and a plurality of longitudinally extending and circumferentially arranged tubular members abutting each other and the tubes.

L'8. A main structural member adapted for resisting all types of loading, and including an outer tube, an inner tubey spaced Within the outer tube, and a plurality of longitudinally extending and circumferentially arranged U members abutting each other and the tubes.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

AI-IURXTHAL F. FREASE.. 

